Boise High has been a landmark in Boise for over one hundred years. Being in the heart of the North End and right Downtown, Boise High makes the city of Boise unique with its architecture and history. But, with the location of Boise, the campus is not able to expand anymore. So, the original buildings and location will always be special to Boise.

In the early 1860’s, the plot of land now known as Boise High was home to Central High, the only high school in the Idaho territory at the time. In 1892, over 700 students overcrowded Central High resulting the expansion and change from Central to Boise. “The district purchased land on Washington Street, and the new high school was built in the center of the block. The school was a two story structure and, upon its opening, board members asserted that this was a building large enough to serve Boise for all time.” (boise.school.boiseschools.org)

The main building started to be constructed around 1900 and they finished the construction of the main building in 1902. In 1908, the east wing was built, having classes for male students only. “In one wing was to be located the manual training, agriculture and work of that character which is generally taken up by boys and in the opposite wing was to be located the domestic science and those portions of manual training that usually are taken up by girls. In addition to the above there are the regular study rooms and class rooms, laboratories, etc.” Idaho Statesman.

The “old gym” started construction in 1936 due to the fact that the ceiling was too low in the gym of the main building in the basement. “Students had saved their nickels and dimes and put them in a fund which covered some costs of the structure. The new gym replaced the cracker box located in the basement of the main building. The ceiling in the old gym was so low it interfered with the playing of the game of basketball. The WPA furnished the labor to build the gym.”(boise.school.boiseschools.org)

The location of Boise High has been a huge part of everyday student life and the history here at Boise. Being an accessible campus to downtown and being a big part of Boise City’s past, Boise high is surrounded by many restaurants and parks, making it easy for students to have places to go and things to do at lunch, and after school.

Junior, Sophie Spanbauer explains: “I like the location of Boise High because it’s easy to get places and I like being close to downtown. There are a lot of things to do at lunch and after school around Boise. I’m glad I get to go to a school with such a cool campus and not a lot of high schoolers get to experience that.”

Boise High will continue to be a landmark of Boise. With the extensive history and the placement of Boise, Boise High will always be a big part of Boise’s history.